James Fallah-Williams can stay in UK

26 August 2011

Manchester journalists and their colleagues across the UK are celebrating the victory of journalist James Fallah-Williams in his long campaign to be allowed to stay in Britain.

The NUJ had helped James, an NUJ member, with legal support and representation in his struggle to be allowed to remain. James is a journalist and human rights activist who fled Sierra Leone in 1995 at the height of the civil war there.

He had lived in the UK for over a decade with legal rights to study and work. But due to the actions of the UK Border Agency, James had become trapped over the past four years in an immigration nightmare.

Now his case has been re-assessed by the Home Office and the UK Border Agency and he has been accorded three years discretionary leave to remain. He will be able to work and enjoy normal access to other rights. Shortly, when he has spent a total of 14 years in the UK, he can apply for permanent leave to remain.

Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said:

"We are delighted James' exhausting and worrying campaign to be allowed to live a normal life in the country he has made his home has now succeeded.

"I am very proud that the work of Manchester NUJ members, in particular, has paid off for James. I hope he can now get back to living a full life as a valued member of the community."